The internals of the "boat Loader" consisted of a pneumatic venturi
which would pick up multiple rows of the nuclear pellets, to be
placed in a tub (boat), to be conveyed through the firing process
which hardens the pellets.
Bleu Project

The system was totally enclosed to assure no airborne contamination

All areas were to be under negative pressure and filtration systems
were installed to be able to collect any airborne contaminates.
(14 months devoted, away from home)
Blended Low Enriched Uranium

This DOD, DOE and TVA Project was created to address the ability
to recycle the weapons grade material from stock piles and
dismantled nuclear weapons.  I was fortunate enough to have been
selected for this TEAM.  I had the opportunity to work with some of
the worlds best minds.

I was to replicate the existing system, which made conventional fuel
rods for the reactors.  This had to be done from old design prints
and by physical measurements.  The old prints were virtually useless
and physical measurements were nearly impossible.  Everything is
highly contaminated and cannot be accessed.

What is a designer to do?  Figure out what is there, conceptually,
and design a similar system which replicates the same functions.

As the project progressed, my responsibilities grew to the point of
actually coordinating the entire installation of the various equipment.

I served 6-8 engineers and answered to the Project Manager and
Assistant Manager only.  This was a great privilege for me.

Below, I am standing in front of my 1st assignment on the project.  
This is called the "Boat Loader" which is shown in detail below.

The "hot" powder was prepared in Erwin, TN and shipped to us in
specialized containers to be uploaded into our system via the glove
boxes shown below.  From there the powder was stored in drums to
be used in the pellet making process as needed.

Prior to the powder going into the press, the drums of uranium would
be placed into the drum inverter and then turned upside down over
the press.  The pellets travelled to the boat loader and on around
the system to be fired, inspected and ground to specification.
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